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• International
• Sports
• 09 / 06 / 2007

Cuban boxing continued to make history in the World Youth Championships (for boxers under 17), when the island secured its first bronze medal in the current contests being held at the Sports Palace of Baku, in the capital of Azerbaijan (a south eastern European nation formerly a part of the Soviet Union).

Cubas first quarter-finalist in this competition was Frank Isla, who won 29-9 against Ukrainias Dmitro Plashakov.

The Cuban boxer will try to change the color of his medal in this Fridays duel against Uzbek Mashhur Ruziyev, in the last step to advance to the fight for the title in the 63 kg division.

Cuban boxer Juan Alberto Garcia did not have the same luck, as he missed the opportunity to win a medal by losing to Uzbekistans Jalolbek Habizanov 19-15 in the light weight classification.

Cubas small team will try to increase its number of medals, when two other boxers take to the ring. In the morning, Lazaro Alvarez (52 kg) will present himself for the second time in the competition before Askat Ualikanov of Kazakhstan; while in the afternoon, Rey Eduardo Recio (70 kg) will seek his second victory, this time before Russias Mikhail Plashkov.

With only five boxers, the Cuban team remains on top of the general classification because the seven points obtained in nine fights guaranteed them the sixth position among the 25 countries participating in the competition.

In front of them, there are the hosts of this world championship, who lead the position table with 19 points and 11 boxers.

Russia and Uzbekistan follow with 13 points (eight Russians and six Uzbeks continue to have possibilities); meanwhile, the team from Kazakhstan is now fourth with 12 points (seven active athletes) and Ukraine is in fifth position with nine points, but with only five of the 13 original athletes who entered the competition.

Source: By Rayko Martin